Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Solid-state Graft Copolymer Electrolytes for Lithium Battery Applications
Published on: August 12, 2013
Confined Polymer Electrolyte Synthesis in Porous Frameworks for Cold-Climate Zinc-Ion Batteries
Ruihe Yu1, Yu Ma1, Ning Zhang1
1Faculty of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are vital for zinc-ion solid-state batteries (ZSSBs) for dendrite suppression but face low-temperature hurdles from poor ionic conductivity and crystallization. Here, a supramolecularly engineered SPE is constructed by in situ polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (EtOx) within sulfonated porous aromatic frameworks (SPAFs), acting as macroinitiators and nanoconfined reactors. Resulting poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) chains assemble with the SPAF via strong non-covalent interactions, forming cohesive SPAF-PEtOx (SPP) with interconnected ion transport pathways. -SO3 - groups anchor Zn2+, while confined PEtOx chains modulate solvation dynamics, facilitating efficient Zn2+ migration. SPE based on SPP embedded in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrices (SPP@PVDF) achieves high ionic conductivity (5.04 × 10-4 s cm-1) and a wide electrochemical window (2.74 V) at room temperature. A Zn || Zn symmetric battery exhibits stable plating/stripping over 3000 h, while a full Zn || V2O5 battery retains capacity over 1000 cycles at -40 °C with no decay. Notably, the ionic conductivity of SPP@PVDF at -40 °C is 8-fold higher than SPAF@PVDF, as PEtOx reduces Zn2+ migration barriers. This work offers a molecular-level strategy for designing cryogenically robust SPEs, advancing ZSSB technologies for extreme environments.
Related Concept Videos
Batteries and Fuel Cells
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview
DC Battery
Electrochemical Systems
Electrochemical Cells
The Electrical Double Layer

